Born in Virginia and living in Illinois in 1852, Samuel Bayliss decided to head west to California during the gold rush. After making a stop in Kanesville, he decided to stay put. At that point, he purchased a large tract of land which included a farm. He was later joined by his brother Joseph and together they raised a large crop of wheat, corn and other vegetables. They also built a brick yard and several buildings on the land.
Eventually his land between what is now Pearl Street and Broadway would become some of the most valuable in all of Council Bluffs having been renamed from Kanesville. The successful businessmen donated a plot of square land to the city in 1853 with the hope that it would become the site of a courthouse. That didn’t happen as the courthouse was built one block south in 1866. His land meanwhile remained a patch of weeds until the city got around to planting some trees and constructing a wooden fence around it in 1863.
One of the founders of the Council Bluffs & Nebraska Ferry Company that purchased the Lone Tree Ferry from William Brown, he named its new steamboat ferry the Lizzie Bayliss after his youngest daughter. The founders would go on to establish Omaha City on the western side of the Missouri River. Once considered a wealthy civic leader, Sam unsuccessfully attempted to regain possession of the land in 1873. He died in relative poverty one year later in 1874 after which he was buried in nearby Fairview Cemetery.
Bayliss Park as it was named was cleaned up in 1883 and the fountain was installed in 1890 after another prominent businessman, W. A. Mauer first suggested it. The ornate cast-iron fountain was obtained in New York after another city apparently failed to pick it up.
The fountain would become known as “Old Rusty” and was threatened many times over the years but continued to operate for more than 70 years. In 1971, a new fountain called “Dancing Waters,” replaced the relic and was later rescued and restored by Katelman Foundry in 1973. The old fountain was placed adjacent to the Fort Dodge House. It was moved to its current location between Pearl and Main Streets at West Broadway in 2000.
By 2006 “Dancing Waters” was in disrepair with its bricks falling off and the water pipes deteriorated. While it was state-of-the-art when it was built, its mechanical and electrical systems were in an underground vault which could be flooded if a pipe were to burst. Given the potential danger to maintenance workers, the city opted to get rid of it after it stopped working.
After obtaining feedback from the residents, the city commissioned nationally renowned sculptor Hatcher Browner to design the new fountain in addition to other features within the park. His design included a new 22-foot fountain called “Wellspring” with eight arching nozzles, a ring of 24 water spray jets, upper and lower pools and a sculpture. Other features of the renovated park include a permanent raised stage that was incorporated into the west side of the plaza. It location allows the audience to be seated under large trees with their backs to the setting sun. Hatcher also created the dome that sits over the top of the pavillion as well as the six black squirrel sculptures that sit along the east side of the plaza. The park also has an interactive splash pad on the north side in addition to monuments and markers honoring local veterans.
The oldest park in Council Bluffs, Bayliss has four formal entrances with stone walls and flower beds on each side. The entrances connect to surrounding commercial and residential areas downtown in addition to bike trails. Popular for community events such as art shows, concerts, movies as well as weddings, the park is considered the jewel of downtown Council Bluffs.
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